RIM offers cloud computing for lawful interception

New Delhi: With the approaching deadline to offer complete solution for monitoring of its contents by 31 January, BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) has offered lawful interception in its security architecture through cloud computing from Indian operators.

Cloud computing is Internet-based service, whereby shared servers provide software and data to computers and other devices on demand.

RIM infrastructure is ready to receive and process through the cloud computing-based system, lawfully intercepted BlackBerry Messenger data from Indian service providers, the Canada-based firm said in a letter to the government.

Earlier, RIM had assured the government that they will provide the ‘final solution’ for the lawful interception of BlackBerry Messenger services by 31 January 2011. The company has said that this was the understanding that they were to put in place the system by 31 January.

According to people familiar with thedevelopment, the ministry of home affairs has asked the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to validate the technology (cloud computing) being offered by RIM.

BlackBerry has over one million subscribers in India, which is one of the fastest growing markets in the world in terms of new subscriber additions.

The Canada-based company made it clear that its security systems are still cutting edge by saying, “RIM maintains a consistent global standard for lawful access requirements that does not include special deals for specific countries.

Last year, RIM had assured the government that it would provide a final solution for lawful interception of BlackBerry Messenger services by January next year. The project is likely to be completed by the end of January 2011.

With regard to Blackberry’s Enterprise mail service, however, it had asserted that the company had no ability to provide customers’ encryption keys.

With respect to the same issue, Robert E Crow, vice president, industry, government and university relations, RIM, had met home minister P. Chidambaram and explained the status of its project.

The company had also claimed there was no deadline from the government and it was RIM that had said it would work with operators to ensure that security agencies were able to intercept BlackBerry Messenger data.

The company had asserted that there was “no change” in its security architecture and sought to dispel talks of its ban in India as mere rumours.

The rumours around BlackBerry services stems from the fact that Indian government had earlier asked Blackberry to provide complete access or face a ban.